@WDW_fan_in_TX
It's going to tough and it's going to mean a meager existence for quite a while.
My first suggestion is to cancel the WDW trip. Yes, I know it hurts to do that. And yes, I know that you already invested $300 in airfare that is non-refundable. But that Disney hotel isn't free and the reservation can be canceled. If you've already put money toward it, you will get it back. Put it toward your debts. You don't have the money to be going to WDW when you have less than $1 to your name until the next paycheck. Parking at your home airport is going to cost something. Food during your trip is going to cost something. You cannot afford this trip. I know it sounds brutal but Dave would tell you the same thing.
Make sure that you are paying the minimums on every debt. Do it on time or even early because the last thing you need is late fees on top of interest. Meanwhile, work on getting that emergency fund going. Even just $5 a week is a start. The suggestion to use an online bank with no branch offices near you is an excellent recommendation.
Cut up the credit cards so that you cannot use them. Remove them from any contactless payment methods on your phone. In fact, call the credit card companies and freeze the accounts so that no charges can be made on them. When the one with an annual fee is paid off, cancel it. You don't want that $100 annual fee getting in the way of paying off your debts. Your credit score will only take a small hit and only for a short time.
Freeze the debit card in a great big old block of ice. Pay cash for everything you can. The last time I looked, every brick and mortar store takes cash. Withdraw a set amount of cash every paycheck at the teller to pay for things like gas, groceries, essential toiletries and medications. When the cash is gone, you are done spending until the next paycheck.
Ditch the
Amazon,
Walmart purchases and any other online buying that you do. It's too easy to spend more than you need to when it just goes on the credit card.
Give consideration to moving closer to either your or your wife's job. You're stuck with the car you are underwater on until you pay it down to what it's worth, but you can sell the other one and then drop her off in the morning at her job, pick her up after you're done at yours, or visa versa. Bonus for getting rid of the second car is that your insurance payments go down.
I get that groceries are expensive. My grocery bill this week was over $160 and that didn't include much in the way of meat. But it did include a large amount of fresh vegetables when frozen would be cheaper. We also tend to buy whole grains, organic foods and name brand products. All of which could change if we had to tighten our belts. Are you buying a lot of processed foods and convenience foods? Stop if you are. They aren't good for you and they're expensive. Learn to cook. Do it on weekends if you're too tired when you get home from work. Cook on Sunday after church, portion it out for the rest of the week and refrigerate. Crockpot meals and casseroles are your friend! Or make foods you love to get when you eat out and you won't be tempted to order out because nothing in the fridge appeals to you. Cut out all eating out, including stops for coffee and snacks, with the exception of those required by the workplace (and try to change the work climate that dictates you must do this). Pack a lunch. If you find yourself out of food before the next paycheck, start visiting food banks and food outlets instead of the chain grocery stores. We have produce outlets near me that sell blemished and bruised produce for a fraction of what the big box stores sell. Even after you weed out the stuff you cannot eat, it's still cheaper.
Finally, get a second job ASAP. Both of you! Even if that job involves asking "Do you want fries with that?" The holiday season is coming up and stores like Target and Walmart will be looking for overnight workers to restock shelves. The work is temporary but the entire paychecks can go toward your debts. There's usually a bonus if you stay beyond the holidays to deal with all the returns. While on the subject of the holidays...cut out all gift giving. There's no shame in bowing out of the workplace secret Santa or refraining from buying gifts for all the nieces and nephews.
I think you can accomplish getting on stable financial ground but it's going to take a lot of sacrifices. Dave Ramsey's approach has worked for a lot of people but only if they embrace the entire program. There's no cherry picking which baby steps you will do and which you will skip. Borrow one of his books from your local library and really take the advice to heart. And come back here regularly to celebrate your accomplishments or commiserate when things go sideways. You've got this!
